Kip Keino: A Father of Kenya

Kipchoge (Kip) Keino’s superhuman efforts and determination at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City were far more inspiring than the gold and silver medals he won. Keino, now one of Kenya’s most beloved national heroes, was suffering from severe abdominal pains (later attributed to gallbladder problems) when he arrived in Mexico City. Doctors warned him of the dangers of running with his condition, but Keino was not to be deterred. He competed in six distance races in eight days, tough for any healthy athlete let alone one suffering from stomach ailments.

Keino, a goatherd and policeman, had been running competitively since age 13 without any substantial support or formal training. Yet he loved to run, and he was able to establish himself as one of the medal favourites heading into Mexico City. In his first final—the 10,000 metres—the Kenyan’s stomach pains became unbearable, and he collapsed on the infield with just two laps to go. In the 5,000-metre final, Keino earned a silver medal, finishing just 0.2 second behind Tunisian Mohammed Gammoudi.

On the day of the 1,500-metre race, the doctors had ordered Keino not to run. At first he agreed to stay in the Olympic Village, but he changed his mind as the start time grew near. Adding to his troubles, Keino became stuck in a traffic jam and had to jog the last mile to the track. In the 1,500 Keino faced race favourite Jim Ryun of the United States. Despite his stomach pains, Keino set a furious pace over the last laps of the race, negating Ryun’s powerful finishing kick. Keino won the race by 20 metres.

On that same day, back in Kenya, Keino’s wife gave birth to their third daughter, Milka Olympia Chelagat, named in tribute to her father’s wondrous Olympic performance. Over the years, Keino and his wife took in more than 100 children and had seven of their own. Many Kenyans named their offspring after this beloved hero and father of so many orphaned children. Keino is currently president of the Kenyan national Olympic committee.